Description
Crispy Chicken Flautas filled with a flavorful mixture of shredded chicken, Mexican cheese, salsa, and diced chiles, fried to golden perfection and served warm with a variety of fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, guacamole, and cilantro ranch dressing. A perfect Mexican-inspired appetizer or meal that is crunchy, savory, and full of zest.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (or shredded beef)
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- ½ cup salsa (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced chiles
- Garlic salt with parsley flakes, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Flautas
- 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
- Salt, to taste
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes
- Green salsa
- Guacamole
- Cilantro Ranch dressing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to the warm setting, approximately 200°F, so you can keep the cooked flautas warm as you continue frying the rest.
- Heat Oil: Fill a large saucepan with about ¾ inch of vegetable or canola oil and heat it over medium heat until it reaches 375°F. This hot oil will crisp the flautas to golden perfection.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, Mexican blend cheese, salsa, diced chiles, garlic salt, and pepper thoroughly to create a delicious filling.
- Fill and Roll Tortillas: Working with about 4 tortillas at a time, spread a heaping spoonful of the chicken mixture along the middle of each tortilla. Roll them up tightly around the filling and secure each with a toothpick to prevent them from unrolling during frying.
- Fry the Flautas: Carefully place each rolled flauta into the hot oil using tongs. Fry them until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Sprinkle with salt to taste while still hot.
- Keep Warm: Transfer the fried flautas to a foil-lined baking sheet and place them in the preheated oven to keep warm as you fry the remaining ones.
- Serve: Serve the flautas warm topped with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, green salsa, guacamole, and cilantro ranch dressing as desired for a flavorful and satisfying meal or appetizer.
Notes
- Use flour or corn tortillas based on preference; flour tortillas tend to roll more easily, while corn tortillas provide an authentic flavor.
- Ensure the oil is at the proper temperature (375°F) for even frying and crispness.
- Secure flautas with toothpicks to avoid unrolling during frying.
- Serve immediately for best texture, but keep warm in the oven if preparing in batches.
- Leftovers can be reheated in an oven or air fryer for maintained crispiness.
